Recently, reporters learned from the County Natural Resources and Planning Bureau that the marine ecological protection and restoration case of Hua'ao Island in our county has been selected as one of the 15 typical cases in the country for the 2025 Marine Ecological Protection and Restoration Typical Cases. It will provide a demonstration model for ecological protection and restoration in island areas across the country.
Located in Gaotang Island Township，Hua'ao Island is known as the fairyland on the sea and the earthly Yingzhou. For a long time, affected by natural factors such as global climate change and storm surges, as well as unreasonable development and utilization activities, ecological problems such as coastal erosion, beach degradation, vegetation damage, exposed rock masses, and decreased island stability have become prominent. Since 2016, Xiangshan has coordinated and promoted the ecological protection and restoration of islands, explored a characteristic model that combines high - quality island development with common prosperity, and is committed to restoring the charm of the fairyland on the sea.
In policy planning, our county has compiled the first special plan for territorial - space ecological restoration at the county - level in Zhejiang Province, and incorporated the ecological restoration work of Hua'ao Island into the Special Plan for Territorial - Space Ecological Restoration of Xiangshan County. In addition, the Guiding Opinions on the Ecological Restoration of Natural Resources in Xiangshan County have been issued, which clarify the standards for coastline renovation and restoration and ecological island - reef construction, and implement full - process management of projects to ensure the quality of ecological restoration.
Meanwhile, our county has carried out various tasks such as island body renovation and restoration, ecological tourism and cultural protection construction, protection of rare, endangered and endemic species, construction of marine monitoring stations, and investigation of the ecological environment background. The county has protected and restored the naturally - formed Tianzuotang pebble dam to enhance its wave - dissipating and tide - blocking capabilities. Through engineering measures such as beach surface cleaning, sand replenishment, and vegetation planting, the structure of the beach has been stabilized. In total, 61,000 square meters of sandy beaches and 19,800 square meters of pebble beaches have been restored.
Hua'ao Island is famous for its unique marine erosion wonders. Leveraging the abundant natural resources of the islands, the local area has vigorously developed eco - tourism, transforming ecological advantages into economic ones. It has also created characteristic agricultural and fishery brands to increase the added value of products. Moreover, it has introduced high - end homestays, developed ecological circular and sightseeing agriculture to expand the tourism industry chain. In 2024, the number of tourists reached 226,000, a year - on - year increase of 43.1%. The tourism revenue was 36.15 million yuan, a year - on - year increase of 32.9%.
After several years of construction and protection, the ecological environment of Hua'ao Island has been significantly improved, and the stability of the island has been further enhanced. Currently, the retention rate of natural shorelines on Hua'ao Island is 83.03%, the vegetation coverage rate is 75.49%, and the degree of island development and utilization is controlled within 2.93%. The number of biological species on the island and in its surrounding waters has been continuously increasing. Currently, there are 684 species of vascular plants and 134 species of planktonic animals and plants in the sea area.
Today, Hua'ao Island boasts lush greenery, clean beaches, clear waters, and abundant resources. In recent years, it has been successively recognized as a national marine park, a national Harmonious and Beautiful Island, a provincial geological park, and one of the top ten island parks in Zhejiang Province.